People are shy of installing cell phone apps: A survey by Pew Internet Project
Call it an increased awareness about personal information management or the lack of trust due to increased hacking attempts, more than half of interviewed mobile app users in the United States have either uninstalled or decided to not install an app due to concerns about personal information. And, this concern is universal across all mobile platforms whether Android or iPhone devices.
The survey
Pew Research Center’s Internet & American Life Project conducted a nationwide survey of 2,254 adults (age 18 and older) between March 15 and April 3, 2012. The survey included interviews on landline and cell phones and conducted in English and Spanish.
The study revealed that 57% of all cell phone app users have concerns about having to share their personal information and has hence they either have uninstalled an app or have decided not to install an app in the first place for similar reasons. Apart from this, they have also taken various safety measures.
Steps taken by cell owners to protect data
Cell phone owners are now acting proactively and are implementing various ways to manage data and protect information on their cell phones. Some of the steps taken by cell owners are:
- Back-up of photos, contacts, and other files on their phones
- Clearing of browsing or search history
- Turning off location tracking feature
In spite of all the prevention to control the loss of personal data, cell owners still feel that their privacy was invaded. The data reveals that nearly one third or around 31% of cell owners have experienced a lost or stolen phone, and nearly 12% responded that someone has accessed their cell phone content and has compromised their privacy. Even the smartphone owners are on the same terrain on this as basic phone users.
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